Inmates Prepare Riots In 12 Romanian Penitentiaries - Official

Bala said last week’s incidents at Jilava maximum-security penitentiary are part of a bigger scenario designed by several influential prisoners.

 

More than 200 inmates at Jilava penitentiary protested on Saturday against new prison regulations forbidding relatives and visitors to bring food and cigarettes to prisoners, after the Romanian authorities discovered prisoners packages were used to smuggle in heroin.

 

According to Bala, similar protests occurred at the hospital wing of Jilava penitentiary, as well as at the prison facility in Margineni locality, southern Romania.

 

The incidents “were part of a bigger riot scenario to include 12 Romanian penitentiaries,” Bala said. 

 

Bala declined to give any details on the plotters’ names, but said several tens of inmates have been transferred to other penitentiaries.

 

The ANP officials presented Thursday the results of the latest cell checks at Jilava penitentiary. The guards found 28 cell phones hidden in the prisoners’ cells, as well as tens of hand-made white weapons and other forbidden objects.

 

“The best way to counter attempts to smuggle in phones, drugs or other forbidden items is to enact the justice minister’s order which stipulates prisoners are not allowed to receive packages during visiting hours expect a few times a year; the prisoners, however, are allowed to buy food, sodas and pretty much anything else they need from prison shops,” Bala said.

 

Four people have been arrested and two others have been indicted for smuggling in heroin hidden in prisoners’ food packages, Romanian police said on November 23.